Brake-handle



@No Model.)

0.5,.GAPFNEY.

BRAKE HANDLE.

Patented Fel-w. 4, 1896.-

mi E5 5 E E. Y

M. PHUTOUTMQWSNINGTOMD C NTTED STATES PATENT OEEICE.

CHARLES H. GAFFNEY, OF GLOUCESTER, MASSACHUSETTS.

BRAKE-HANDLE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 553,848, dated February4, 1896.

Application led J'une 5, 1895. Serial No. 551,730. (No model.)

To all whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLES H. GAFFNEY, a citizen of the United States,and a resident of Gloucester, in the county of Essex and State ofMassachusetts, have invented new and useful Improvements inBrake-Handles, of which the following, taken in connection with theaccompanying drawings, is a speciiication.

This invention relates to improvements in brake-han dles forrailway-cars; and it has for its object to enable the brakes to bereleased without revolving the handle-lever, thus preventing accidentsto motor or brake men or passengers on the car-platform by the quickrotary motion of the usual brake-handles when the brake is released.

The invention is carried out as follows, reference being had to theaccompanying drawings, wherein- Figure l represents a top plan view ofmy improved brake-handle, showing in dotted lines the handle-crank swunginto a horizontal position during the release of the brake. Fig. 2represents a longitudinal section on the line 2 2 shown in Fig. l. Fig.3 represents a detail side elevation of the ratchet and pawl, showingthe latter in its released position. Fig. 4 represents a detailsectional View on the line 4 4 showing the pawl in its normal lockedposition relative to the ratchet-wheel, and Fig. 5 represents across-section on the line 5 5 shown in Fig. 2.

Similar letters refer to similar parts whereever they occur on thedifferent parts of the drawings. I

A in Figs. 2 and 3 represents the vertical brake-shaft, as usual, to theupper end of which is secured the hub B, having preferably at or nearits upper end a ratchet-wheel or tooth-wheel B', as shown in Figs. 2, 3and 4.

The hub B is provided with an annular groove or recess B", arranged onone side of the said ratchet-wheel, preferably on its under side, asshown in Figs. 2 and 3.

On the hub B is loosely pivoted a sleeve C, in which is j ournaled thepawl rod or arm D, having a pawl d at its inner end adapted to engagewith the ratchet-wheel B', as shown in Figs. 2 and 4.

To the outer end of the arm D is secured a crank-handle E, which isnormally held in an upright position (shown in full lines in Figs. l and2) by the influence of a spring F, secured in one end to the rod D, andin its other end to the sleeve C, as shown in Fig. 2. The said spring Falso serves the purpose of holding the pawl d with a yielding pressurein engagement with the ratchet-wheel B', as shown in Fig. 2.

In practice I prefer to screw a screw-threaded bearing G into the end ofthe sleeve C, as shown in Figs. l and 2.

H is a pin or projection on the rod D, adapted to serve as a stop tolimit the rocking motion of the rod D as the handle-crank E is swungfrom its normal vertical position to the horizontal position shown indotted lines, Fig. l.

g g' are stop projections on the bearing G, against which the pin H isbrought to rest when the handle E is moved to its respective verticaland horizontal positions. The operation is as follows: Normally thehandle E is held upright by the spring F, in which position the pawl dis in engagement with the ratchet B', and when in such position thebrake-handle may be actuated to set the brake in a manner similar to theusual ratchet brake-handles. lf it is desired to release the brake, allthat the operator has to do is to swing the handle E to a horizontal ornearly so position, when the pawl d will be brought into the annulargroove B" and out of engagement with the ratchet-wheel B', thus allowingthe free turning of the shaft A during the release of the brake withoutrotation of the sleeve C, its rod D and handle E, for the purpose setforth.

Having thus fully described the nature, construct-ion, and operation ofmy invention, l wish to secure byLetters Patent and claim- 1. Theherein-described brake-handle consisting of a brake-shaft A having aratchetwheel B' secured to it and an annular groove B" on one side ofsaid ratchet-wheel combined with a sleeve C pivoted on said ratchet-Wheel and a yielding pawl-rod engaging the latter and adapted to enterthe annular groove B when the handle E is oscillated, substantially asand for the purpose set forth.

2. In a brake -handle in combination a ratchet-wheel on the brake-shaft,a sleeve 'pivoted thereon and having a longitudinally IOC yielding' andoscillating paWl-iunl provided with a handle at its outer end andnormally held in Workingengagement, by means of a sprngwith said1'atel1etwheel and adapted to be released from the latter by the turningof the said pawl arm and handle, substantially as and for the purposeset forth.

In testimony whereof I have Signed my name to this specification, in thepresence of two subscribing Witnesses, on this 28th day 1o of May, A. D.1895.

CHARLES I I GA FFNEY.

Witnesses:

ALBAN ANDRN, LARITZ N. MLLER.

